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"When I apply for a job it's like all they can see is a chair and they miss the person in the chair."
Prior to coming to work at Mosaic in Farmington, New Mexico, that was the experience Marlene Velasquez had known too often. Velasquez uses an electric wheelchair and a communications device, which she calls her "talk box," as daily supports. At Mosaic, however, those supports did not stop her from competing against several candidates and landing a job as Human Resources Technician.
"Marlene was the most knowledgeable and skilled candidate," said Sheila Weaver, Executive Director of Mosaic in Grants. "She has made herself such a valuable member of our team that we can't imagine being without her."
Velasquez is a few courses away from completing her bachelor's degree in business administration. She said she thought that an associate's degree would enable her to enter the work force, but found instead that she still faced discrimination. That was before she came to Mosaic.
She initially came to Mosaic through a referral from the New Mexico Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Mosaic has a long-standing relationship with the DVR to help find employment for people Mosaic supports. The DVR asked Mosaic to create a 90-day on-thejob training program for Velasquez, even though at the time Mosaic had no open positions. Shortly thereafter, however, rapid growth at Mosaic in Farmington created a need for several new full-time positions, including a Human Resources Technician.
"She has since shared how scared she was to apply, but knowing the type of service agency Mosaic is, and seeing how she had been respected for her job performance, she gathered the courage to apply," Weaver said.
Several people applied and were interviewed, but Velasquez was offered the job. The same creativity Mosaic applies to supports for people who are clients helped staff adapt elements of employee training to fit Velasquez's needs. The result has worked well for Mosaic and for Velasquez. She is the right person in the right job and is happy doing it.
"I am enjoying my job," Velasquez said. "The reason is because it lets me do what I do best."